Adjustable stump support for artificial legs



March 14, 1950 J. AHO

ADJUSTABLE STUMP SUPPORT FOR ARTIFICIAL LEGS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 10, 1946 INVENTOR Jia/,w AA/o.

Mfr 6MM ATTORNEY J'. AHo

ADJUSTABLE STUMP SUPPORT FOR ARTIFICIAL LEGS March 14, 195o Filed May 1o, 124e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Trlll --Tlq Q INVENTLl JOHN A Ho.

Patented Mar. 14,y 1950 ADJUSTABLE STUD/IP SUPPORT FOR ARTIFICIAL LEGS J h11 Aho, Brooklyn, N. Y., `assignor ofone-half to Herman Niessen, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 10, 1946, Serial No. 668,734

13 Claims.

This invention relates to-improvements inartiiicial limbs, and particularly to an improved artificial leg having a knee and foot member.

,An object of the present invention is to provide an .artificial `leg which is comfortable to the wearer, adjustable in position around the live leg stump, and permits lateral movement for differentsizes oi legl stumps.

.Anotherhobject is to yprovide an improved artiiicial leg having an adjustable stump socket made/up of a plurality of weight or stump supports with adjustable links therebetween.

`.A further object is to provide an articial leg having a plurality of spaced Weight .supports or carriers which are interlinked with hall and socket adjustment members to thereby permit individual or total lateral adjustment of the weight supports.

AOther objects will appear from a reading `of the` iollowing description Vof the invention, taken in conjunction with drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view .of `the inner sleeve or liner of the stump socket of the invention showing the `knee pad windows;

Fig..2 is a perspective view of the shell portion f oi the stump socket, which surrounds ,the inner sleeveor liner of Fig. 1. The sleeve of Fig. 1 is designed to fit within the shell portion of Fig. 2;

.,Fig. 3 is atop rplan .View of the articial leg of the vinvention with the sleeve of Fig. l nesting Within the shell of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal crosssection taken .on ling-4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan fragmental view of Fig. 3 shown partly in elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 6 is La Vertical cross-section taken online Fig. y7 is a plan section of a `modifiedv form of weight support or carrier;

"Figq8 'isa horizontal cross-section `taken on liner 8--8 of Fig. 7;

fFig` '9 isla-'front elevation .of .a modied form of link adjustment looking from vthe inside .of the .shell portion .of the stump socket;

Figl0 isa vertical cross-section `taken on line Ill-t0 of Fig. 9; .and

.Throughout the figures of `:the drawing7 ,the

l-il

same parts are designated by the same reference character-s.

Referring to Figs. lthrough 6 in more detail, the articial leg of .theinvention comprises `a hollow leg member I-ll, usually of wood, which extends from the lower footy member, not shown, to the `stump .socket comprising an inner sleeve orliner lf2 (Figi) and a lsurrounding main or shell portion id (Fig. v2)

The shell or main portion ofthe stump ysocket includes a knee cappart I6 to which is fastened agknee weight Support `or `carrier i8, two side Weight supports or carriers 2E) and r,22, and a rear pivot supporty plate 24.. It should be noted that the three weight supports or carriers i8, 20 `and 22 have weight Ibearing surfaces which .are formed to t those areas. of the live leg stump, not shown, which ,they touch. The "if'reight supports |18, .20 .and .22 and the rear plate .2-4 are interlinked byadjustable links in a manner described later.

The sleeve or liner l2,is provided with .three Windowsi) which register with the three weight supports when thesleeve l2 is inserted into the shell portion Ml. These windows are sumciently large to enable the pads of the weight ysupports topass therethrough. The solid portions of the sleeve i2, located ybetween the Windows, prevent the .adjustable links and the rear pivot support plate 24 from touching the liveleg stump adapted to enter sleeve 1.2, and also v'as a sheath support for the live leg stump, aiding in maintaining the position of the leg Von ,the Weight carriers of4 .the stump socket.

The vWeight `or vstump vsupports are attached to .the Vshell of the stump socket by means of a rball and socket arrangement (note Figs. '5 and 6) Acomprising a `pair .of ,balls l and y.2 which enter into sockets and 4 respectively. `.A locking :screw 5 (Fig. 6) ,serves tolockthe ball'l vto the ball 2. ARubber cushions ,Ei prevent theballs from rattling within their respective sockets.

Each rweightsupport comprises a Apad vofsuitable .material having `turned-in `ends l which overlap a .pad backing A.plate .9. This plate .e and the lturned-ih ends l' rest lagainst .a y.plate H which is an extension tof the hollow socket `3. It should @be noted that witlfiin the ,sockets 3 and dzther are provided steel shells i3 ,against which ride the balls i .and 2 andthe rubber cushions 6. The main hollow leg member I is secured or fastened to the stump socket shell by means of rivets I5. A plate I1 forms an eX- tension of the hollow socket 4 and is sandwiched between the stump socket shell and an` have at each end a ball 2I which fits into a socket 23 at the rear of the weight support. 'I'he sockets 23 are supported by the weight supports or carriers at both side edges. Within each socket 23 there is provided a steel shell 25. A restraining clip 21 which is fastened to the pad backing plate by a rivet 29 serves to restrain the balls 2l of the links 26 vand 28 from leaving their respective sockets 23.

Each adjustable link 26 and 28vis provided with lock nuts 16 at both ends for locking the link in position, thus preventing undesired change in adjustment during use.

The main portion of shell I4 is provided with four apertures or windows 32 which register with the adjustable portions of the links or turnbuckles 26, 2B for enabling adjustment of the links from the outside of the artificial limb.

The top part 49 of the stump socket shell I4 of the stump socket is also provided with screw holes 3i. These holes 3l register with screw holes 3|' on the upper flange portion 34 of the inner sleeve or liner I2 and enable both of these portions of the stump socket to be fastened securely together by screws, not shown, which enter these holes.

Fig. 4 shows the details of the rear pivot support 24. This support comprises a plate 24 which is fastened to the stump socket shell by means of rivets 4I. Attached to the plate 4I by these same rivets is a hollow socket 43 which accommodates in its interior the adjacent balls 2| of the adjustable links 26. Positioned between the fiat end portions of balls 2I in the interior of socket 43 is a rubber cushion 44 for preventing rattling.

Among the advantages of the artificial limb of the invention are: The weight supports or carriers automatically adjust themselves to the movement of the knee of the wearer due to the ball and socket or swivel connections between the weight supports and the stump socket shell; the adjustable links between'weight supports or carriers and rear pivot support enable individual or total lateral adjustment of the weight supports around the live leg stump; the adjustable links are covered by the inner sleeve and cannot touch or irritate the wearer; and the entire construction provides a feeling of comfort and ease of operation approaching that of the natural leg and foot.

Figs.v 7 and 8 illustrate, by way of example only, an alternative swivel construction for the ball and socket arrangement of Fig. 6. In Figs. 7' and 8, the pad or weight carrier is designated 56, the pad backing plate 5I and the socket plate 52. The stump socket shell is designated 53. The swivel construction between the weight carrier 50 and the stump socket shell 53 includes a pair of hinge plates 54, a pair of hinge pins 55, a pair of hinge swivel plates 56, and a swivel 51.

In the operation of Figures 7 and 8, the shell 53 is'stationary or x'ed. The pin 55 immediately adjacent the shell 53 permits a vertical pivoting or swiveling action and acts as a hinge pin enabling movement of the combination of weight carrier 50 and plates 56 and 51 around this particular pin. The other pin 55 immediately adjacent the weight carrier 50 also acts as a hinge pin but of a more restricted nature and permits movement of the weight carrier 50 relative to the swivel construction plates 56. Thus the weight carrier 50 can adjust itself vertically in accordance with the changing requirements of the leg stump in its movement.

That portion of the hinge plate 54 which is within the socket plate 52 is acircular disc and rides within a correspondingly shaped circular portion of 52, and permits movement of the unit 50, 5I and 52 in the plane of disc 54.

Swivels 51 are able to move within plates 56 in a plane parallel to the swivels 51, as shown in Figure 7. Essentially, the swivels 51 and their surrounding enclosing plates 56 act as a restricted ball and socket which enables movement in a single plane.

From the foregoing it will be clear that the construction of Figures 7 and 8 permits a universal movement analogous to the ball and socket construction of Figure 6.

Figs. 9, 10 and '11 illustrate a modified form of link adjustment mechanism as seen from the inside of stump socket I4 with the inner sleeve removed. This modied construction includes an adjustment band 60, in effect, a rear plate rig'- idy held in a socket by ball 6I, and a front chan-A of this member. The member 62 is provided with a rack 63 in association with a gearA 64. Front member 62 is also provided with a slot S in which' rests a tab or tongue T forming part of the rear' Tab T protrudes into slot S plate or band 60. and serves as a guide to maintain relative alignment of both members 60 and 62.

In order to adjust the linkage of Figs. 9, 10 andl 11, the gear 64 is turned by means of a slottedv head H, thus moving members 60 and 62 relative to each other and tightening or loosening ythe linkage. A key slot K is provided for tightening the front lock screw 65 provided with a gear, as shown.

Another important advantage of the invention is that the artificial leg eliminates the need for a temporary articial leg in the interval of time after the amputation and before the fitting of the permanent artificial limb. Since the ampu-- tated limp shrinks in size for some period of time after an artificial leg is rst used, it has beenv customary, heretofore, to provide a temporary artificial leg. The artificial leg of the invention, however, due to its various' adjustable features may be used both as the temporary and permanent leg, thus eliminating they need for more than one artificial limb and the consequent expense. v

A further advantage of the invention is that the various elements may easily be replaced due' to wear and tear, without the necessity of replacing the entire limb as heretofore required.

The principles of the invention insofar as the pivotal or swiveled weight supports or carriers, and adjustable links are concerned, are applicable tol different types of artificial limbs, as for example, a leg for yuse with live stumps 'a'mpu'l tated above the knee, and for this reasonlthe-invention is not limited to `a leg having a knee and foot member.

Iclaim:

1. A socket for an artificial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of spaced stump supports arranged on the interior of said shell adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual ball and socket vconnections between said stump supports 'and `said shell, and ball and socket links interconnecting said stump supports.

2. A socket for an articial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of spaced stump supports arranged on the interior of "said-'shell' adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual ball and socket connections be'- tween said stump supports and said shell, and ball and socket links interconnecting said stump supports, said links being adjustable in length.

3. A socket for an articial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of substantially circumferentially spaced stump supports arranged on the interior of said shell adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual connections between said stump supports and said shell, said connections being so constructed and arranged as to permit pivotal movement of said stump supports, a single link of adjustable length between each two adjacent stump supports and having ends which are secured to and terminate at said supports.

4. A socket for an articial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of substantially circumferentially spaced stump supports arranged on the interior oi said shell adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual connections between said stump supports and said shell, said connections being so constructed and arranged as to permit movement of said stump supports in at least one plane, and links of adjustable length between said stump supports, said shell having windows or openings at the locations of said links for enabling adjustment of said links from the outside of said shell.

5. A socket for an artificial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of spaced stump supports arranged on the interior of said shell adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual ball and socket connections between said stump supports and said shell, and ball and socket links interconnecting said stump supports, said links being adjustable and of the turn-buckle type, said shell having openings at the locations of said turn-buckles for enabling adjustment of said links from the outside of said shell.

6. A socket for an artilcial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of substantially circumferentially spaced stump supports arranged on the interior of said shell adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual connections between said stump support and said shell, said connections being so constructed and arranged as to permit movement of said stump support in at least one plane, and links of adjustable length between said stump supports, and an inner sleeve fitting into said shell, said sleeve having Windows for enabling the stump supports to pass therethrough for engaging the stump of the amputated limb, those portions of the inner sleeve between said windows covering said links and preventing said links from touching the stump.

7. A socket for an articial limb, comprising a shell adapted to receive therein the stump of.-

6 an art-man1 limb, ,a plural-ity of none-overlappingand substantially circumferen'tiallyl spaced pad"- ded stumpsupports ion .the interior ofsaid shell,

links between said ,supports and independently: adjustable of 'each other, land an inner sleeve. for fsaid shell, said sleeve' preventing saidlinksy but not said p'adsfrom touching the stump .-"of

the articial limb.

8. A socket for an artificial leg :havingaiknee and a foot member, comprising va shell adapted to receive therein the stump of a leg amputatedv below the knee, a stump support at the front: orknee part of said shell, ystump supports at "the sides of said shell, a rear support xedly fastenedv to `said shell-,tsad supports being substantially circumferentially spaced on the interior of said shell, individual ball and socket connections between said shell and said front and side stump supports, adjustable links between said shell and said front and side stump supports, adjustable links between said front stump support and said side stump supports, and links between said side stump supports and said rear support.

9. A socket for an artificial leg having a knee and a foot member, comprising a shell adapted to receive therein the stump of a leg amputated below the knee, a stump support at the front or knee part of said shell, stump supports at the sides of said shell, a rear pivot support fixedly fastened to said shell, said supports being substantially lcircumferentially spaced on the interior of said shell, individual ball andsooket connections between said shell and said front and side stump supports, adjustable links between said front stump support and said side stump supports, and adjustable links between said side stump supports and said rear support, said last links including balls which t into ball sockets in said rear pivot support.

10. A socket for an artificial leg having a knee and a foot member, comprising a shell adapted to receive therein the stump of a leg amputated below the knee, a stump support at the front or knee part of said shell, stump supports at the sides of said shell, a rear support xedly fastened tc said shell, said supports being substantially circumferentially spaced on the interior of said shell, individual pivotal or swivel connections between said shell and said front and side stump supports, adjustable links interconnecting said supports, and an inner sleeve for said shell covering said links and having openings allowing said front and side stump supports to pass therethrough, said shell having openings at the locations of said links for enabling adjustment of said links from the outside of said shell.

1l. A socket for an articial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of spaced stump supports arranged on the interior of said shell adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual ball and socket connections between said stump supports and said shell, and ball and socket links interconnecting said stump supports, said links being adjustable in length and comprising gear and rack constructions.

12. A socket for an artificial limb, comprising a shell, a plurality of non-overlapping substantially circumferentially spaced stump supports arranged on the interior of said shell and adapted to receive therein the stump of an amputated limb, individual swivel-type connections between said shell and stump supports, and links of adjustable length between said stump supports, and terminating thereat, said links having means inter- 8 fndlat the ends thereof for adjusting the length 'v 1 independently of the other links. REFERENCES CITED i 13. A socket for an artificial limfb, comprising The following references are of record in th a substantially annular shell, a plurality of cir- @1619i this Patenti cumferentially spaced stump supports arranged 5 on the interior of said shell and fastened to said Y. UNITED STATES PATENTS shell in pivotal relation thereto at locations ad- Nllllbel Name Date jacent said supports but intermediate the ends $7.232 Engelbl'eht et a1 Jarl- 6. 1863 of said supports, and separate links pivotally in- 2,229,728 Eddels Jan. 28, 1941` terconnecting each stump support to the ad- 10 FOREIGN PATENTS Jacent supports on oppos1te sldes thereof, each of said links including means for adjusting the Nymbel COImtIy Date effective length thereof independently of the 323.571 Germany July 31, 1920 @sha1-links, 269,606 Great Britain Apr. 13, 1927 JOHN AHO. 15 

